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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 60
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 60 |
I have a 1/2 acre new pond. Actually built it 2 yrs ago. Allowed it to clear up, than we established the minnow population last spring & summer. I added 65 CNBG and 35 RES last fall, then added 70 CNBG and 30 RES with 30 LMB about a month ago. The kids are catching fry in their dip nets, so I know the first stocking has spawned at least once, and the kids are starting to catch the fish from the first stocking as well. They are hand sized, plenty big enough to eat. So far I have made the kids release what they have caught. My question is, when should I start keeping the bream? Should I let those adults spawn again before we start keeping them, or am I good to go? I also was planning to stock another batch like the last one this summer. Do you guys think I need another batch, or am I good to go with what I have stocked so far?
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,513 Likes: 831
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,513 Likes: 831 |
You can start transferring the babies from the first spawn to hot grease.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,490 Likes: 265
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,490 Likes: 265 |
How big were the LMB at stocking ? I would not take out any adult BG/RES for at least 2 years. Then harvest mid size fish not the biggest.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6
Ambassador Lunker
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Ambassador Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6 |
I did not keep any for 4 years but I have some larger LMB to contend with. Then last year I only kept ones in the 7 to 8.5 inch range. This year we are keeping anything under 9 inches. All others go back to spawn and feed my LMB!! You need to be careful 30 LMB in a 1/2 acre pond could eat you clean!! You don't want to take out your mature BG and RES that are feeding them.
RC
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 60
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 60 |
My LMB were about 2-3" when I put them in. That was 6 weeks ago. I was surprised how big and fat my CNBG and RES are, considering that they were stocked at 1-2" in late September. The most interesting thing is that the kids can only get the bream to bite on minnows. They have tried crickets and worms with no luck. I have never seen bream feed so aggressively on minnows before.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6
Ambassador Lunker
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Ambassador Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6 |
You added them last fall right? So if you go by what Eric says you got to wait till fall of 2016 before you start taking any out! Well you don't have to but that's what he is saying you should do. The good thing is those originals will always be to big for them bass to eat so you don't want to cull them that's for sure at least not to many of them. Before you know it your mid size will be big enough to eat and your originals will be Super Fly!!! Fun fun to catch!!! RC And so will those bass!!
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277 |
If Eric says it, you can believe it.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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